Third-party authentication for fake AirPods Pro 2 from Mercari

There is no authentication check that can be done on AirPods. The only way you know they are genuine is if you purchase them from Apple or Authorized Apple Seller.

Packaging and appearance will look identical and the serial number are even copied from actual AirPods, so that cannot be used either. You are at the mercy of the retailer that sold them to you if they would let you return them or not.

1. Mercari is not an authorized Apple reseller so there’s no way those AirPods are “new”.
2. The serial number indicating they are replacements also means they are not new.
3. No one here is an Apple employee or Apple contractor so none of us have any credentials to be a third party to authenticate these AirPods are fakes. They may not in fact be fakes but used/refurbished/stolen items.
4. Contact Mercari about their return policy.
5. Remember the age old admonition “If it sounds too good to be true, watch out"

I understand that items brought thru Mercari are often second hand and Mercari is not an Apple Authorized Service Provider.

If you can return it for a refund and get a pair thru Apple.